In cases of poisoning, if breathing and the heart stop, the
person will die within a few minutes unless first aid is given at once. Here is
an action list. Each step is explained in more detail below the list. Start
with the first step and follow each step in the order given. Act as quickly as
you can, but stay calm.
- Check if the patient is
conscious try to make the patient wake up. Shout "Are you all
right?" and gently shake the shoulders, but take care not to make any
injuries worse. Pinch the skin on the neck and watch the face. A patient
who is just sleeping will wake up, but an unconscious patient will not.
- Open the airway. The airway
is the tube through which air passes from the mouth and nose to the lungs.
If it is blocked the patient cannot breathe and air cannot get into or out
of the lungs. A patient who cannot breathe will die within four minutes.
In an unconscious patient the tongue may block the throat and the airway.
Make sure the airway is open and air can get down the throat. Place the
patient on his or her back. Tilt the head back and lift the chin up with the
finger and thumb of one hand on the bony part of the chin, while pressing
the forehead back with the other hand. This will open the airway and stop
the tongue blocking the throat.
- Check whether the patient
is breathing after opening the airway; quickly check whether the patient
is breathing. Look for the belly or the chest moving up and down. Feel the
chest moving up and down. Feel the patient’s breathe on your cheek. Listen
for breath sounds. Put your ear close to the patient’s mouth. Use all four
checks. Remember that the chest may move up and down even when the throat
is completely blocked and air cannot get to the lungs.
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